Sleep bruxism and sleep disorders in adolescents

Abstract

Sleep Bruxism, the sleep-related movement disorder of tooth grinding and clenching, is highly reported in pediatrics with a prevalence of up to 40 % during childhood and adolescence. The precise etiology of sleep bruxism remains unknown, but it may involve genetic and psychosocial components (such as anxiety and stress). Clinicians should be aware that quite often sleep bruxism is associated with other disorders, such as snoring, sleep-disordered breathing, sleep complaints, and behavioral problems. These comorbidities should be investigated, because they may be severe and prolonged if they are not treated. SB may lead to morning jaw muscle soreness or pain, headache, masticatory muscle hypertrophy, temporomandibular disorders, and tooth wear. Especially in pediatrics, sleep bruxism is usually managed with conservative therapies, such as sleep hygiene, behavioral modifications, biofeedback, familial counseling and, only in cases of severe tooth wear or other serious possible consequences of SB, soft occlusal splints.

Assessment of Lifestyle and Eating Habits among a Nationally Representative Sample of Iranian Adolescent Girls: the CASPIAN-V Study

“…The prevalence of sleep problems during adolescence is about 25% to 50%. 18 The prevalence of insomnia among adolescents was 14.9% to 27% based on the accuracy of insomnia definition. 19 Decreasing sleep hours is common in adolescents in both developed and developing countries.…”